Mirpur: The greatest batsman to have ever played the game, the King of India, a true champion --accolades poured in for Sachin Tendulkar as the superstar became the first cricketer in history to score 100 international centuries.

Many of the game's greats across the world hailed the achievement of the Indian batting maestro whose own reaction in Mirpur in Bangladesh was one of great relief. 'It hasn't sunk in but I have definitely lost about 50 kg", he jokingly said after reaching the milestone.

In fact shortly before Tendulkar hit the hundred, former England captain Nasser Hussain said Sir Donald Bradman was great but "for me the greatest batsman to have ever played the game is Sachin Tendulkar".

Another cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar described this century-of-centuries as a "mind-boggling achievement". Tendulkar's approach, focus and concentration is incredible, he added.

Sourav Ganguly, former skipper, described Tendulkar as an absolute champion and said "all of us are proud of him".

Former Pakistan captain Javed Miandad said that Tendulkar had achieved a landmark which was not easy. "Full marks to him and congratulations on behalf of me and Pakistan cricket".

Sri Lankan great Arjuna Ranatunga also joined in felicitating the batsman describing Tendulkar as a role model for the world.

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden said that Tendulkar was a movement in himself. "He has been scrutinised, reflected upon. He is one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He is the King of India".

From South Africa, former all rounder Lance Klusener said that Tendulkar was a "true champion".

Tendulkar's teammate Virender Sehwag tweeted: @sachin_rt paaji congratulations!Its a small thing for you but a phenomenal historic achievement. Dinner's on me when we meet. Many more!:

Gavaskar said Tendulkar's appetite for runs has never diminished even after playing for so many years.

"He is always focussed, he is a perfect team-man. He has got an inquisitive mind, a mind that is prepared to learn. That's how you progress. Tendulkar has got the mind that he always looks to score, never satisfied and always hungry for runs," said Gavaskar.

"Enough has been said about it so it's not a day to talk about it. Let's enjoy Sachin's 100th century. It's a phenomenal thing," Ganguly said.

Chairman of selectors Kris Srikkanth said the hundred was a good reply to the critics who had been harping on the one-year wait that Tendulkar endured.

"It is a feat that is incomparable in any form of cricket and unparallelled in the history of this gentleman's game. In my opinion people may criticise that Sachin had taken this long to get his 100th century. It is easy for anyone to indulge in armchair talk but they will realise the difficulties only when they go out and bat for over two decades," he said.

"I do not deny that Sachin had missed number of centuries being in 90s but his effort in achieving the glorious feat itself speaks volume about him.

"To me, it is a moment of great delight and happiness as I was involved with him as a captain when he made his international debut and being the Chairman of Selection Committee fills the cup," he added.

Srikkanth said Tendulkar's humility makes him a great sportsperson.

"As a person, who had played with him and continued to be associated with him is a god given opportunity for me. I must say that I am also blessed.

"I am sure his milestone will remain for longer time than the period that he has taken to achieve it as no one is close to it. Therefore Sachin's feat will remain for generations and be etched in the history books in golden letters," he added.

Hayden said India's success was still heavily reliant on Tendulkar despite the fact that the right-hander is over two decades old in international cricket.

"Performance of India revolves around him. The atmosphere and euphoria at the stadium, the buzz around the town when he is going to different places is second to none" said Hayden.

"He plays effortlessly. He always has got the methodology to score runs," he explained.

A round of applause also came from English spinner Graeme Swann and his pace counterpart Stuart Broad.

"I think 'The Little Master' nickname for Sachin suits him down to the ground... 100 tons is incredible," added Broad.

Former Australian player Tom Moody said the century is a celebration of Tendulkar's career.

"It's remarkable. You are talking about the wait for his 100th international century but it's an achievement over a long period of time. It's really a celebration of his career.

"It would have been nice if he had achieved this in Sydney or Melbourne. He is very much in the twilight of his career and was under enormous pressure to achieve this miletsone. My heartiest congratulations to him," he added.

Former Indian spinner Erapalli Prasanna said the feat is "mind-boggling".

"It is an incredible performance and a landmark achievement incomparable in history of cricket. It is a great relief for Sachin and the cricketing fraternity as everyone was concerned as to when he will get the magical figure of 100th hundred.

"I am happy that he got it and it is not a joke for any cricketer to be playing the game for 22 years stretch and this itself is an enviable feat. At the same time, I feel he will remain in the scene and continue to break more records. We are all proud that an Indian cricketer has achieved such a feat, which will not be erased by anyone for a long period of time," he said.

Former India captains Dilip Vengsarkar and Chandu Borde hailed it as an achievement that is likely to stand the test of time.

"It's a golden moment for not only Sachin but also the Indian cricket. It's a historic moment. Nobody has done it before and is the greatest milestone," said Vengsarkar, a former chief selector.

"It's very, very hard to beat. I'm very glad that an Indian has done it," he added.

Another former skipper Borde also felt that the landmark appeared as if it would not be surpassed.

"Today history was created by a great player, a great innings by a great player and I don't think this performance will be broken for many years to come, probably not ever. It appears to be a permanent record," said Borde from Pune.

Asked whether Tendulkar would now call it a day from at least the limited overs, the 77-year-old former middle-order batsman said it was for the player himself to decide.

"It's up to Sachin. I know how difficult a decision it is as he loves the game so much. I have personally experienced this when I decided to quit first class cricket. I kept awake till 3 am. It's up to him," Borde said.

Mohinder Amarnath, a member of 1983 World Cup winning team under Kapil Dev, said India were very lucky that a player of Tendulkar's stature was playing for the country.

"It's a great achievement by Tendulkar and a very very special day for Indian cricket. India is lucky to have a cricketer like Sachin," Amarnath, a member of the national selection panel, said.

Former Indian wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani said fans who got to witness the knock were lucky.

"It's one of the rarest 100th hundred and I feel whosoever has witnessed this -- be it on TV or from the ground—will feel themselves very lucky. This will probably not happen again and will stay there for very very long long time, though it's said that records are meant to be broken.

"It was very long awaited from him. He came close to the mark a number of times... We feel he should have scored at his hometown (Mumbai), Lord's but he did it in Dhaka. A hundred is always a hundred. It's such a special occasion," he said.

"It's always going to be difficult and he has done it despite being put under scrutiny and lot of pressure. Not only for him, it's a proud moment for each and every Indian and the entire cricketing community.

"He is out right now, having being dismissed by medium pacer Mashrafe Mortaza and with wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim taking the catch behind. I feel the duo would be feeling the luckiest person on earth at the moment," he added.